Employment Myths and Realities in Speech and Language Pathology.

This study compared the professional expectations of graduate students in speech and language pathology (SLP) with the employment realities offered by the profession. A total of 89 graduate students enrolled in the SLP program at Valdosta State University (VSU) in Georgia during 1995-97 completed a seven-item questionnaire on employment prospects. The results were compared to national data on employment prospects and attitudes. The study found that SLP students at VSU indicated an overwhelming interest in working in the South, and that students expected an average annual salary approximately $6,000 more than the national average for entry-level positions in the profession. In job satisfaction comparisons, VSU students placed their emphasis on job nature and efficiency aspects of future employment, compared to the national preferences of friendly co-workers, helpful co-workers, and friendly supervision. It was recommended that SLP program planners encourage students to have a somewhat more realistic idea of their future profession. An appendix provides statistical tables and a copy of the questionnaire. (MDM)